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Denominations from evangelical to mainline continue to experience deep divisions over universal social issues. The underlying debate isn’t about a particular social issue, but instead it is about how we understand the nature of scripture and how we should interpret it. The world’s bestselling, most-read, and most-loved book is also one of the most confusing. In Making Sense of the Bible, Adam Hamilton, one of the country’s leading pastors and Christian authors, addresses the hot-button issues that plague the church and cultural debate, and answers many of the questions frequently asked by Christians and non-Christians alike.

Did God really command Moses to put gay people to death? Did Jesus really teach that everyone who is not a Christian will be assigned to hell? Why would Paul command women to “keep silent in the church?” Were Adam and Eve real people? Is the book of Revelation really about the end times? Who decided which books made it into the scriptures and why? Is the Bible ever wrong? In approachable and inviting language, Hamilton addresses these often misunderstood biblical themes leading readers to a deeper appreciation of the Bible so that we might hear God speak through it and find its words to be life-changing and life-giving.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“When I think about how many people have been turned off to the Christian faith because of how they mis-read and mis-understand the Bible, I can only say, ‘Thank you Jesus for this book!’ It’s going to help a lot of people.” (Tony Campolo, Founder and President, Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education)

“Wondrously accessible, Hamilton combines good scholarship with a light touch and exhibits his wise, generous pastoral heart. Hamilton does not let us forget that he bears witness to the gospel and the result is a discussion that permits readers to think again and faithfully about the Bible.” (Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary)

“This is an honest, relevant, and captivating book. Hamilton asks taboo questions and refuses cliché answers. He invites you to join him on a quest for truth, and even if you don’t arrive at the same destination, you will sure enjoy the ride.” (Shane Claiborne, author and activist)

“Acting as friend and guide to those who seek to read the Bible intelligently and with spiritual insight, Hamilton walks readers through the pitfalls of fundamentalism and dry scholarship, opening up both the Bible’s profound humanity and its wisdom for living.” (Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity After Religion)

“I can think of no one more adept at bringing out the beauty and authority of scripture while also shedding light on the Bible’s most controversial teachings than Adam Hamilton. This is a must read for anyone who is looking for a fuller understanding of the Bible.” (Jim Wallis, president and founder of Sojourners and author of On God's Side)

“If you hope there’s a better way to read, live by, and value the Bible, Hamilton has written the book that will help you-and people you know and love. It’s understandable. It’s honest. It’s wise. And it’s so, so needed.” (Brian D. McLaren author of We Make the Road by Walking)

This isn’t your grandfather’s revivalism. Equal parts an evangelical return to the Bible as the foundation of Protestant Christianityand a scholarly, inclusive approach to understanding scripture that draws on themes familiar to readers of Brian D. McLaren, Rob Bell and Marcus Borg. Most importantly, for the millions of men and women who have been avoiding churches for years, this is a faithful and intelligent orientation to the Bible. (Read the Spirit)

“Helpful, pastoral, and hopeful....this book is a gift to the broader church at a time when we are not simply wrestling with so-called controversial issues, but perhaps discerning a fresh word from God on how to live as faithful Christ-followers in the twenty-first century.” (The Covenant Companion)

From the Back Cover

In Making Sense of the Bible, Adam Hamilton invites us into an honest conversation about the Bible. The book begins with foundational questions such as, How and when was the Bible written? Who decided which books made it into the scriptures and why? How literally must we read it? And, Is the Bible ever wrong?

From there, Hamilton considers the real questions people frequently ask that continue to divide Christians and denominations alike, including:

Were Adam and Eve real people?

Why is God so violent in the Old Testament?

Why would Paul command women to "keep silent in the church"?

Is Jesus the only way to salvation?

How does God view homosexual people?

Is the Book of Revelation a guide to the End Times?

In approachable and inviting language, Hamilton addresses these often misunderstood biblical themes leading readers to a deeper appreciation of the Bible so that we might hear God speak through it and find its words to be life-changing and life-giving.

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More About the Author

Adam Hamilton is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country. The Church Report named Hamilton's congregation the most influential mainline church in America, and he preached at the National Prayer Service as part of the presidential inauguration festivities in 2013. Hamilton is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours that Changed the World, Enough, When Christians Get it Wrong, and Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, all published by Abingdon Press.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

As a lifelong journalist covering religion in America, I have been skeptical of Adam Hamilton's rapid rise in popularity nationwide. How was he doing this in a mainline Protestant church? Why were so many people, now 20,000 members, flocking to his Church of the Resurrection? Then, recently, I had an opportunity to do solid journalistic research into his history, his work today and specifically this new book as well as its related study materials. Turns out: He's a brilliant and faithful pastor with a heart, and a writing and speaking style, that welcomes and respects his audience.

I see themes in this book that echo N.T. Wright as well as Marcus Borg. I hear Brian McLaren's compassionate evangelical voice echoing here. I see Rob Bell's passion for the Bible, coupled with top scholarship, echoed here. If you're a fan of any of those authors, you'll find yourself comfortably enjoying this book. You may not agree with every conclusion Hamilton draws in this book, but his scholarship is rock solid and his invitation to think about the Bible in new ways is clear and inviting.

Research has long shown us that America is distinctive in the world for the intensity of our faith, as a culture, and for our outspoken desire as Americans to express ourselves. Unfortunately, research also shows that a majority of Americans, when asked, can't name the four Gospels. Whether that describes you as you read about this new book, or whether you've been involved in a congregation all your life, reading this book is sure to make you think about the Bible from new perspectives.

In addition to an excellent opening section that provides a sweeping overview of the Bible, its history and its timeless power, about half of the book looks at individual topics that have troubled people of faith over the centuries. The sections on violence and on slavery and on gender are fascinating and make great choices for small-group discussion in your community.

I have only one real disagreement with what Adam Hamilton writes in Making Sense of the Bible, although it is a significant disagreement, which I will discuss shortly. Apart from this, I found the entire book valuable, useful, and quite cogently presented.

Hamilton’s goal is to help people who aren’t familiar with the Bible, or who are troubled by certain passages in it, to “make sense of it.” To this, end he begins very helpfully with the crucial question, “What exactly is the Bible?” (p. 7). He explains that it is not what it is often considered to be: an “owner’s manual,” a source of random guidance, a collection of data for systematic theology, a science and history textbook, or a treasury of “precious promises.”

Hamilton then provides historical, geographic, and literary overviews of the Bible to orient readers to its background and contents. These will be valuable and helpful resources for the many today who don’t start with a basic knowledge of the Bible. Hamilton addresses some questions about the nature of Scripture and then devotes the last half of the book to “making sense of the Bible’s challenging passages.”

As I read through the book, there were certain chapters that I found very meaningful personally. Hamilton’s testimony in Chapter 24 of how he “came to love Jesus” by reading the gospels is poignant and beautiful. And I would recommend his reflections on suffering in the preceding chapter to anyone who is going through difficult times.

So what’s my one disagreement? It’s with Hamilton’s answer to the question of what the Bible actually is. He says it is a collection of books “written by men seeking to express what they believed was God’s will.Read more ›

I've been a Bible teacher for decades and have written and edited for a major denominational publishing house. As a pastor's wife, I also witnessed many people struggle with their faith primarily because of some parts of the Bible. I knew Hamilton's treatment would be clear and informative, based on several other books of his I've read. But this one was especially touching. Not only does he fearlessly and intelligently address the "problems" in the scriptures (ex: genocide commanded by God?), but he also lovingly bears witness to the life-changing story of Jesus. His personal testimony in Chapter 24 ("Can We Trust the Gospel Accounts of Jesus?") brought me back to the roots of my faith. I came away from this experience more deeply committed to Christ than ever before. Thank you, Adam Hamilton. This book will bring a lot of people home. I'm doing my best to recommend it to everyone I know.

The first portion of this book is interesting and will be helpful for those who've never read the Bible or seek to better understand it. Certainly read to page 125, and perhaps to page 182. But if you go beyond this point you'll begin to encounter the fundamental problem with this work that others have noted in previous reviews - his view that the Bible isn't divinely-inspired but rather was just written by men seeking to understand God and God's will. Not only does this view unmoor the rest of the book from being helpful, but it routinely contradicts the point Hamilton claims he's trying to make with this book (that one should wrestle with the Bible to learn more about and grow closer to God). Once fully expressed, this view sends the reader deeper down the rabbit hole of confusion and contradiction. Why read or believe the Bible at all if it's simply the view of well-meaning men who seek God? Couldn't the Bible be wrong about everything? Hamilton never addresses these logical ends of his unmoored (unhinged?) approach, but rather tries at the end to placate readers by contradicting his own approach (he believes Biblical statements about Christ, such as His birth story and life as depicted in the Gospels - why are those claims right and others wrong? He never says.). In short, read the opening sections of this book, then read the Bible and think for yourself.